No secret here–sleep is a treasured thing these days.  I do my best to nap on my days off, but it still doesn’t ever “catch me up” from the continued pattern of broken up sleep that befalls me as a new mom.  I am lucky to get in a stretch of 5 or 6 hours of sleep at one time.  Most nights, sleep comes in 3 to 4 hour doses.  It could be much worse, I know.  (and it was right after Drake was first born)  I’ve somewhat gotten used to the broken up sleep pattern, but that doesn’t make it any easier to keep pep in my step throughout the work day. 

I know it’s not the healthiest choice in the universe, but Diet Coke–in just about any variety–is my guilty pleasure go-to pick-me-up.  I told Floyd that I would really love to give it up–but gosh darn it’s so hard, especially now.  That caffeine kick helps get me through some days when I feel like I could easily doze off!  Tea is good, too, but it’s just not the same without bubbles!  And drinking Chai has added calories.  So what’s a girl to do?  I’ll just keep piping my diet drinks and try to not over-do it.  Maybe when Drake’s sleep patterns get more in check as he gets older, I might have more success at weaning myself off the diet drinks.  For now–oh Diet Coke, you are such sweet relief.

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I’m good about preaching compromise, but not always good about taking my own advice.  I admit I like to get my way. (who doesn’t? )  But there are times when I insist that compromise is absolutely necessary. 

Last night I came home LATE after a long stressful day at work.  I wanted nothing more than to crawl into bed and pull the covers over my head.  But, without getting too graphic, my chest felt like it was going to explode.  My day was so hectic I hadn’t pumped for almost 6 hours.  Drake was being really fussy and Floyd was having a hard time getting him to sleep.  (It’s now 11 p.m. at this point).  He said, “You’re going to have to take him.  I need to go to bed.”  I said, “I realize that.  I need to go to bed, too.  I’m exhausted.  But I absolutely have to pump or I’m going to have real problems, here.”  He was understanding, and didn’t insist any further that I needed to come help with the baby.  It occurred to me that I don’t think there’s any clearer a picture of compromise. 

It’s no secret that marriage is all about the give and take.  I hate being away from my little guy.  But I love my job, too.  And somewhere in the middle of it all, no matter where I am or what I’m doing–I’m still a mom.  And there are certainly motherly obligations that follow me day in, day out.  So thank God for Floyd.  He is the best daddy and partner in this madness that I could ever ask for.  And I probably don’t tell him that near enough.  THANK YOU FLOYD!!  You are truly amazing.  I respect you, love you, and appreciate ALL YOU DO!

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Michelle Williams will be in the spotlight tonight, Oscar-nominated for her role as Marilyn Monroe in the film My Week with Marilyn.  Of course, many of us know that famous image of Marilyn in the white dress with her skirt blowing up around her.  Today’s high winds reminded me of a Marilyn moment I had as a new-to-Kansas reporter a few years ago.  I was reminiscing about it with Bob Waters today, since these gusty winds took me right back to that moment.

It was my first spring reporting in Kansas (2008).  I had come to realize how gosh darn windy the state is ALL THE TIME.  But on this day, it was extraordinarily windy.  But getting dressed in the morning I didn’t think much of it.  So I put on an adorable brown dress  (the one I’m wearing in this photo from Floyd’s college graduation), and headed out for the day.

Around lunch time, I heard a scanner call for a semi truck blown across one of the major highways in town.  So I grabbed my camera gear and headed to the scene.  When I got there, I almost couldn’t open the car door because the gusts were so strong at 50-60 mph.  When I finally got out of the car, sure enough my skirt was blowing like mad.  So I tried to–as gracefully as possible–tuck it between my knees.  Then I waddled to the back and got my camera gear set up–which was near impossible as the wind was about to blow over my tripod!  Then as I waddled back and put my gear away after I finished and started to get back in the car–it happened.  WOOSH!  Thank goodness no one was driving by at the time and the semi driver had just left for town.  Needless to say I learned my lesson–trust your weathercasting friends on windy days.  Skirts/dresses are just NOT a good idea! ha!!

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So as I just posted, my mommy just came up for a visit.  Last night, I was emailing back and forth with my grandparents about scheduling them a time to come up to Iowa.  They’ve been in Arizona for the past two months (darn the luck, I know!) and of course are anxious to come see their growing grandbaby! 

So fresh and so clean (and cute, of course) in his "Drake" personalized robe!

Then as we were working out those details, my brother texted me asking how his little nephew was doing.  And I encouraged him to get with his girlfriend and plan the visit they’ve been talking about.  So needless to say I am so glad the basement is done so that Hotel Mashek can be open for business!

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Something strange happened with my right eye this weekend.  From seemingly nowhere, it just turned bright red.  It got really sore by the end of the day.  So Sunday morning, I called my 0ptometrist’s on-call line.  He said it could be a couple of different problems, any of which should resolve themselves within a few days.  He called in a prescription for drops.  Over the past couple of days, it’s pretty well cleared up and I put my contact lenses back in today.  But unfortunately, a new problem means my poor eyes just feel so tired and heavy–yes it’s new mom sleep deprivation.  Last night Drake woke up at his typical three hour increments.  But instead of nursing for a half-hour, he nursed for an hour or more each time.  So I got almost no sleep.  I hope this afternoon I can get in a good nap after work–and hopefully, hopefully a good night’s sleep tonight.  I could sure use it!

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So normally I am a picture obssessed person–especially with Drake!  Every cute little thing he does, I want to capture it.  This weekend, my mom came up for a visit.  She and my dad spent the month of January in Florida, so they were both aching to come see their grandbaby.  But mom just got over a cold, and gave it to dad.  So she was healthy and came up, but dad had to stay behind.  I felt so bad for him!  I know he was bummed about not coming.  At any rate…mom just left to head back home to Missouri after lunch today.  And I didn’t realize until a few minutes ago that we do-do heads didn’t take a single picture of she and Drake together.  We played in a trivia night Friday and Floyd snapped a photo of us girls.

Me & my mom...yes I know we look alike

But we didn’t get any of my mom and our baby.  I guess the good news is–since dad missed out on this visit, he’s trying to figure out when he and mom can make it back up here again in the next few weeks.  So now I will have to make a note to self–don’t forget to take pictures this time!   I’m pretty good about chronicling his growth in photo albums, so I don’t want to miss taking snapshots of all these precious moments.

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Being a new mom–I love quick easy supper recipes more than ever!  I took out a couple of chicken breasts to thaw the other day, and when I got home–had no clue what I was going to make with them.  So I started digging through some recipe books, and came across this three ingredient recipe that sounded good, so I gave it a whirl.  The chicken was moist and tasted pretty good.  So I thought I’d share!

Take 2-3 thawed boneless, skinless chicken breast and put them in a  baking pan.  In a bowl, mix 1 cup mayo/Miracle Whip, 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese, and 2 heaping teaspoons of basil.  Mix the ingredients together until well blended.  Spoon the mix over your chicken.  Bake at 375 for about 45 minutes.

Enjoy!

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For the 11th year, Floyd is by my side as my “Valentine”.  And this year, I’m dually blessed to have our beautiful son Drake as a “Valentine” too.  My boys are my life, and I’m so blessed to have them both.

Floyd & Drake--my Valentines!

Floyd:  Thank you for just being YOU.  You are so patient, kind, generous and adoring.  You have had so much awesome personal growth in the time I’ve known you.  I am beyond proud to be your wife, and the mother of your child.  You have expressed your gratitude to me for becoming a mommy many times.  Of course, I carried Drake around for 10 months and physically brought him into this world.  But I don’t think you’ll ever know just how grateful I am that you’re Drakes’ daddy.  You are the best partner I could ever ask for.  The way you look at our son, and the many wonderful attributes of yourself that I know will rub off on him, are invaluable.  I have no doubt that Drake will grow up to be an incredible man who loves God because you already are, and will continue to be, such an awesome role model to him.  Thank you for who you are and for loving me!

Drake:  I tell you all the time how much I love and adore you, that you are beautiful, and that you’ve changed my life for the better.  (And so does your dad!)  You don’t know the value of these words just yet.  But I firmly believe that one day you will realize it to be true and return the love to us.  You are such a blessing already, and we look forward to seeing you grow & develop into the person God has created you to be!

HAPPY VALENTINE”S DAY–to the LOVES of my life!

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Floyd & I have amazing families, no doubt.  But everyone in our family lives at least 5 hours away.  So we can’t just call up the grandparents or aunts & uncles for a babysitter to get a night on the town just the two of us.  (And quite frankly–we’re not probably quite ready for a full “night out”.  We’ve only been away from him for a block of 3 hours or so up to this point).  So for our early Valentine’s this year, I had a date with my *two favorite boys, Floyd & Drake.  We had a nice dinner at Red Lobster, through which Drake slept through most of.   Then we rented a movie, and snuggled up together at home!  (We watched “Courageous”, by the way.  If you haven’t seen it–it’s excellent in my humble opinion.)

Drake turned 2 months old Saturday!

It seems strange still to not be able to just pick up and go do whatever we want whenever we want.  Our little guy takes center stage and our whole world revolves around him.  “Drake” even got me a Valentine’s card that mentioned how I was his “first Valentine”–and the hand-written note said I’d set a hard standard for his future Valentines to match.  HOW SWEET.  It’s a new kind of “date night,” and I like it just fine.

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Madison and Drake

Drake had his big first play date this past weekend with Madison Schnackenberg, daughter of KWWL’s own “Schnack” and his wonderful wife Melissa.  It was so great for the babies to finally meet! Floyd and I got to hold their baby girl, who felt light to us compared to Drake, and the Schnacks had some time holding Drake (who did feel like a bit more of a load according to Melissa ). 

Of course, being 8-week-old babies, they slept through most of their “date”.  I think the two of them were only awake at the same time for a total of 20 or 30 minutes!  But it was fun to see them exchange glances, and wonder what on earth they must be thinking to be up close and personal with someone their own size! 

The best perk of the play date was getting to catch up with Mark & Melissa.  Life has been so hectic since the babies were born, we haven’t had the time to have adult conversation with friends very often (even if it did center mostly around the kids!).  We look forward to many more play dates with our little ones as they grow up together.

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